PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for residuals of a deviated nasal septum remains at noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for the nasal condition or a higher initial evaluation for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of verified stressor events and denied secondary service connection for hypertension as it was not shown to be related to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his period of active duty service and has resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his PTSD, finding that the symptoms do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for headaches and blackouts due to head trauma is now reopened. The earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits remains denied.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with an enemy and has not provided sufficient detail for a verified stressor event. As such, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the appellant's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that his symptoms warrant such an increase. The appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since August 2005, and a higher rating is granted effective December 13, 2007.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service or a service-connected disability, while the PTSD claim was granted.,The claims for depression and low back disorder were reopened but not granted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or an earlier effective date.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the Dallas Vet Center and requesting an examination addendum.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding no credible evidence supporting any of her claimed in-service stressors and concluding that she does not have PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for alcoholism and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, that is etiologically related to an in-service stressor. The acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was not present in service and is not etiologically related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, finding that symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent since July 1, 2006.

The Board found that the veteran's current mental illness, including paranoia, depression, and PTSD, did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective from the date of service connection (March 2002), and denied any increase in ratings for arthritis of the right shoulder with history of bursitis.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's claimed conditions and denied his claims for service connection.